expressions of thought

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "expressions of thought" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when discussing the ways in which individuals convey their ideas, feelings, or opinions. Example: "The artist's work is a collection of expressions of thought that challenge societal norms."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

My own experience in nature had made me curious as to how places as much as cultures could produce distinctive expressions of thought and art.

The New York Times - Travel

It has supplied the Persian poets with a flexible vehicle for ingenious aphorisms and similarly concise expressions of thought for religious, erotic, or skeptical purposes.

Encyclopedia Britannica

An elegant narrative might be strung together from a series of sonnets, a form in the service of complex expressions of thought and feeling; Vikram Seth pulled it off in his first novel, "The Golden Gate," in 1986.

The New Yorker

Even though I am sending you an e-mail message instead of writing a letter, I hope that the art of writing letters of true and deep expressions of thought, particularly in important and personal situations, will never go out of style.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

Shore's American road shots reintroduce me to things that I assumed I knew, with the emotional effect — of encountering expressions of thoughts that had seemed my own — that Ralph Waldo Emerson termed "alienated majesty".

The New Yorker

The use of constant comparative analyses and the intertwined use of coding and theoretical thinking, familiarity with the culture of the participating organizations, the purposeful sampling of the respondents, the strategies to foster free expressions of thoughts and data and researcher triangulation all contribute to the credibility of the research.

BMC Nursing

This sentence was included in the Round 1 Delphi survey on Suicide as the first aider action statement: The first aider should be aware that expressions of thoughts about death through drawings, stories or songs, can be a warning sign that the person is thinking about suicide.

BMC Psychiatry

In the second half of the 19th century John Stuart Mill warned of the risks of suppressing the free expression of thought and criticism.

The Guardian - Opinion

It was as though music, that nonverbal expression of thought and emotion, was the easiest mode for confronting such things.

The New Yorker

Not cliches, but formulaic language that enables quick expression of thought and allows more time for immediate expression of more vital information".

The Guardian

The expression of thought is just one among the many functions performed by language in certain contexts.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "expressions of thought", ensure the context clearly indicates whose thoughts are being expressed and through what medium (e.g., writing, speech, art).

Common error

Avoid using "expressions of thought" as a vague substitute for more specific terms like "opinions", "ideas", or "beliefs". Clarity enhances communication.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "expressions of thought" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as the subject or object of a sentence. As seen in Ludwig, it refers to the ways in which thinking is conveyed or manifested.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

30%

Encyclopedias

25%

Science

20%

Less common in

Academia

10%

Wiki

8%

Formal & Business

7%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "expressions of thought" is a grammatically sound noun phrase used to describe the various ways thinking is communicated or manifested. Though not exceedingly common, its usage is appropriate across diverse contexts, including news, encyclopedias, and scientific writing. Ludwig confirms that it is a valid phrase, and provides examples of its use in published sources. While it is a correct and usable phrase, make sure to avoid vagueness. Alternative phrases like ""articulations of thought"" or ""manifestations of thought"" can offer more specific nuances.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

articulations of thought

Emphasizes the act of clearly and distinctly putting thoughts into words.

manifestations of thought

Focuses on how thoughts become apparent or visible in actions or creations.

communications of thought

Highlights the process of conveying thoughts from one person to another.

utterances of thought

Implies a spoken or written expression of thoughts.

conveyances of thought

Focuses on the act of transferring or carrying thoughts to an audience.

representations of thought

Emphasizes how thoughts are symbolized or depicted.

indications of thought

Highlights evidence or signs that reveal someone's thinking.

reflections of thought

Implies thoughtful consideration and subsequent expression.

demonstrations of thought

Focuses on showcasing or proving one's thought processes.

projections of thought

Implies an externalization or outward display of inner thoughts.

FAQs

How can I use "expressions of thought" in a sentence?

You can use "expressions of thought" to describe how individuals convey their ideas or feelings. For example, "The artist's work is a powerful collection of "expressions of thought" that challenge societal norms."

What are some alternatives to "expressions of thought"?

Depending on the context, you could use alternatives such as "articulations of thought", "manifestations of thought", or "communications of thought".

Is it correct to say "expression of thought" instead of "expressions of thought"?

Yes, "expression of thought" refers to a singular instance, while "expressions of thought" refers to multiple instances or a variety of ways thoughts are conveyed. See also "expression of thought".

What is the difference between "expressions of thought" and "expressions of ideas"?

"Expressions of thought" is a broader term encompassing any manifestation of thinking, while "expressions of ideas" specifically refers to the communication or representation of concepts or opinions.